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I'll keep this short, once again we rented a small crossover and once again it exceeds my expectations even though it has a subpar reputation. Considering the cost of a Compass I feel it's a really nice little family hauler. My only complaints are the shifter can too easily be bumped into manual mode and the engine is a little on the gutless side. But given the Compass is pretty far down on the ladder in terms of pricing I don't find anything particularly offensive about it.

When a Fiat in Jeep clothing is remarkably competent it just goes to show there really aren't any truly bad vehicles anymore! These truly are the good old days of automotive history!

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I'll keep this short, once again we rented a small crossover and once again it exceeds my expectations even though it has a subpar reputation. Considering the cost of a Compass I feel it's a really nice little family hauler. My only complaints are the shifter can too easily be bumped into manual mode and the engine is a little on the gutless side. But given the Compass is pretty far down on the ladder in terms of pricing I don't find anything particularly offensive about it.

When a Fiat in Jeep clothing is remarkably competent it just goes to show there really aren't any truly bad vehicles anymore! These truly are the good old days of automotive history!

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Nope, last year's model. But for comparison's sake, last time we rented a Chevy Captiva which apparently is said to be the worst car since the Yugo. In that case and with the Compass we found a fully competent, comfortable, roomy, and economical vehicles. Both are entry level vehicles that are largely viewed poorly by the automotive press, and I'm sure relative to their direct competition that's true. But taken on their own, if this is as bad as it gets, it's good to be bad!

They had available two Compasses, one Kia whatever it's called, a couple Jeep Renegades, and a Fiat 500X. Our daughter wanted a Jeep and the Compass was the roomier of the two so that's why we ended up with it. Had I chosen I'd have picked the Kia as it was a bit larger.

Regarding power, it's weak, but really this is an economy car so it's hardly surprising. The engine is smooth running so at cruising speed it's great, acceleration is acceptable, but passing is a non-starter. We cruised across Alligator Alley at 80MPH with no problems. Again, for the purpose this vehicle is meant for I think the engine is fine. My only complaint about the drivetrain is the shifter when in drive, if you bump it ever so slightly left or right goes into manual mode and given it's location relative to the cupholders it happens often. I also tend to rest my hand on the lever so and even then just the slightest movement left or right and you're in manual mode, very frustrating.

Interior quality is again, unsurprising. Hard plastics everywhere. The seats are comfortable, it has power windows and locks (doesn't everything now?) and room for five passengers and three large suitcases. Given this is a base Compass I cannot imagine anybody would expect more.

I guess my point in posting this isn't to rave about the Compass, but just to share my shock at just how good even the worst vehicles available actually are!

FCA announced an $800m investment in EV factory for the next Fiat 500e.
https://www.insideevs.com/news/359285/fca-invest-700-million-in-production-line-for-fiat-500-electric/amp/
As a current 500e owner, I gave to say version 2 should address all shortcomings of the current version: more...

[UPDATE, May 27] Renault has released another press release, saying that it has carefully reviewed the friendly proposal from FCA and has decided to "study with interest the opportunity of such a business combination, comforting Groupe Renault’s manufacturing footprint and creating additional...

So I've seen the heard the rumors a few times and here they are again. FCA is coming out with a new "Tornado" inline 6. With displacement around 3.0 and turbocharged. This engine will debut first in the upcoming Grand Wagoneer. Power output is supposedly close to that of the 5.7 Hemi. While its...

So evidently RAM has been working on a new 7.0 V8 (Banshee) that its going to use in the RAM Rebel TR. Up until now the assumption was it would use a detuned version of the Hellcat V8. So with Ford's new 7.0 V8 this could be interesting.
https://www.motor1.com/news/269218/ram-rebel-tr-spy-shots/

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